- Tesla unveiled a new type of EV charger called the Basecharger.
- While it looks like a regular V4 Supercharger, it doesn’t need a separate power cabinet.
- It’s an all-in-one DC fast charger designed for electric big rigs, like the Tesla Semi.
Tesla is now building a new type of electric vehicle fast charger called the Basecharger. While it looks similar to the increasingly ubiquitous fourth-generation Supercharger that’s aimed at passenger EVs, the new Basecharger is a completely different dispenser inside.
First off, you won’t really see them out and about because this DC fast charger was designed for electric truck depots, where the battery-powered big rigs take longer breaks and can be recharged at a slower pace.
According to Tesla, the Basecharger can deliver up to 125 kilowatts of power, which is not record-breaking by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s enough to get a Tesla Semi’s range up to 60% in around four hours.
In other words, this new charger is the heavyweight alternative to your average Level 2 EV charger. But because a Class 8 electric truck’s battery is a fair bit bigger than on a regular electric car, it’s no surprise that it takes a more powerful charger to get up and going. However, just like a regular home EV charger, the Basecharger doesn’t need a separate power cabinet to convert alternating current to continuous current, like the car-oriented Supercharger.
Max de Zegher, Tesla’s Director of Charging North America, said the company managed to integrate one of the 16 trays from the V4 Supercharger’s power electronics cabinet, eliminating the need for a bulky setup. What’s more, up to three Basechargers can be daisy-chained on a single breaker, sharing up to 125 kVA, to reduce installation and operational costs.
Speaking of costs, a Basecharger starts from $20,000, but companies need to order at least two of them, and the cost doesn’t include installation.
Spec-wise, the truck charger can deliver up to 150 amps continuous, while the voltage output ranges from 180 to 1,000 volts. The cable length is 6 meters—double compared to the regular Supercharger—but the only connector offered by Tesla at the moment is MCS. That’s great for operators who have Tesla Semis in their fleet, but CCS-equipped trucks can’t use this type of charger.
As Tesla ramps up production of the Semi electric truck, it’s also kicking its charging infrastructure efforts into high gear. The Basecharger is the second truck charger offered by the American company, after the 1.2-megawatt Megacharger, which can get the Semi’s battery up to 60% in around 30 minutes. That said, while Megachargers are currently being installed, Basecharger deliveries are estimated to begin in early 2027.
